Cellular packing for bottles and the like



Dec. 26, 1967 B. CARSTENS 3,360,179

CELLULAR PACKING FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Filed July 15, 1965 INVENTOR fizz/v7 (Ives news Y inf 74 ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,360,179 CELLULAR PACKLNG FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Bernt Carstens, Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany, assignor to Sektkellerei Carstens KG., Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany, a German firm Filed July 13, 1965, Ser. No. 471,694 6 Claims. (Cl. 229-15) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In the cellular packing of relatively heavy and fragile articles, in particular wine and champagne bottles, by means of a pair of flexible supporting strips connected along spaced transverse lines, to provide juxtaposed cells for the reception of the articles to be packed, and winding of the strips with the articles supported therein into a spiral to be packed or mounted in a carton or the like container, great care must be taken in providing adequate cushioning ofthe articles, to prevent damage or breakage by'shock or'vibratory forces thereon during handling and transport. To this end, there are provided shockabsorbing means intervening between the adjacent articles consisting in the connection of the strips along pairs of spaced transverse lines, to provide both relatively large main cells between adjacent pairs of lines for the receptionand support of the articles, on the one hand, and relatively narrow auxiliary cells alternating wtih said main cells and adapted for the reception of strips of cushioningniaterial, on the other hand. There is achieved thereby an adequate cushioning of the articles in the spiral packing by a minimum strip thickness, or maximum utilization of the available mounting or packing space.

The present invention relates to cellular packing devices or arrangements for bottles or the like fragile and substantially cylindricalarticles, in particular wine and champagne bottles, comprising a pair of flexible superposed packaging strips or webs joined by a plurality of equi-spaced connecting seams or joints transversely of said webs, to' provide a number of juxtaposed packaging spaces or cells by the intervening portions of said webs adapted for the reception of the bottles or the like objects to be packed. The composite strip or web, together with the bottles or the like objects supported thereby may, in turn, bewound or folded into a spiral or stacked assembly for the tight packing and storing of the bottles or-the like objectsin acarrying or shipping case, or the like container.

In the packaging of fragile objects, such as bottles, in particular in connection with packaging methods involving continuous and automatic operations, it has been customary in the past to manually or automatically wrap the previously labelled bottles in silk paper or the like and to subsequently place the wrapped bottles in a compartmentalized container, such as a paper carton, wooden or plastic carrying case etc., prior to the final storing or shipment of thebottles or the like objects. A disadvantage of packaging methods of this and similar type is the fact that the wrapping of the bottles and the subsequent introduction of the wrapped bottles into the compartments of the carrying or shipping containers involves the frequent damage of the wrappers by the sharp edges of the separating walls forming the compartments of the cases or containers.

Furthermore, in following the conventional packaging practices, the labels applied to the outer surface of the bottles may be damaged or displaced either during the wrapping operations or during the insertion or storing of the wrapped bottles or the like objects in the storage 3,360,179 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 cases or containers. Besides, the use of silk paper as wrapping material and of compartmentalized cases is rather costly, in that the cases become both bulky and have to be assembled manually. Finally, the individual wrapping of the bottles in silk paper or a like material makes it impossible in most cases to display or ascertain the labels while removing the bottles from the carrying or storage containers.

As a result of the foregoing difliculties and in view of the ever increasing labor costs, the prevailing trend is to automate the packaging of fragile objects, in particular bottles, wherever possible, provided adequate care is taken to prevent displacement of the previously applied labels during the packaging operations, on the one hand, and provided further the provision of a packaging method which will ensure a relatively cheap, clean-cut, hygienic and preferably transparent or translucent package for the individual bottles or the like objects, on the other hand, while at the same time providing adequate cushioning of the bottles or the like objects, to prevent or minimize the effects of shock or vibration to which the bottles are subjected during handling and shipment, in particular to prevent or minimize breakage of and resultant loss of the contents stored in the bottles.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is the provision of an improved packaging arrangement for bottles or the like fragile and substantially cylin drical objects which substantially complies with the foregoing requirements and which will be especially suited for use in connection with automatic packaging methods of operations.

Among the more specific objects of the invention is the provision of a multi-bottle packaging device or arrangement of the referred to type which will eliminate the use of the relatively bulky and costly compartmentalized carrying cases or containers for the storage of the packed bottles or like objects; which will allow of a large number of bottles to be packed continuously and fully automatically prior to the placing of the packed bottles in the storage or shipping containers; and which will improve the safety and facilitate the operation of the packaging tools for performing the automatic operations, substantially without the danger of damage to the labels previously applied to the bottles or the like articles to be packed.

It has already become known in the packaging of cigars to utilize a packaging strip or web consisting of paper or the like material and being formed with a plurality of spaced integral folds or pockets for the reception of the cigars, the strip with the inserted cigars being rolled or wound up spiral fashion and placed in snug fitting engagement in a can or the like storage container. A disadvantage of arrangements of this type, being of special significance in connection with bottles or the like fragile objects, is the lack of any cushioning means or effect between the juxtaposed articles. The latter requirement is of lesser or minor importance in the case of relatively soft or non-breakable objects, such as cigars in the example mentioned. The same considerations apply to the wellknown strip-packaging methods of tablets, buttons and the like objects, being substantially devoid of the problems of shock or other impact forces, such as vibration, to Whlch the objects may be subjected during handling and shipment.

Accordingly, yet another object of the invention is the provision of an improved multi-bottle or the like packaging device of the referred to type, wherein the juxtaposed bottles or the like objects supported by the strip-like packaging device are adequately cushioned against one another, or along the length of the strip, on the one hand, as well as against the bottles in the adjacent layers or turns of a folded or spiral assemblage of such strip referred to hereinbefore.

The invention, both as to the foregoing and ancillary ob ects as well as novel objects, will be better understood from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specificatron and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a simple packaging arrangement for bottles constructed in accord ance with the principles of the invention;

FIG 2 is a plan view of the packaging arrangement according to FIG. 1, showing a modification of the inventron;

FIG. 3, being similar to FIG. 2, shows still a further modification of the improved packaging device of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial section on an enlarged scale through a packaging strip forming part of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of still another modification of the bottle packaging arrangement according to the invention.

Like reference numerals denote like parts in the different views of the drawing.

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention involves generally the provision of a cellular multi-bottle or the like packing device or arrangement of the referred to type comprising essentially a pair of superposed webs consisting preferably of transparent or translucent mate rial, such as paper, plastic or the like, said Webs having a plurality of equispaced and registering striplike connecting sections or areas extending transversely thereof, the registering pairs of connecting sections being joined in a suitable manner, such as by gluing, welding, stapling, riveting, crimping, etc., to provide a plurality of closed or tube-like spaces or cells by the intermediate sections of the webs adapted to receive the bottles or the like obects to be packed by snugly fitting in and being supported by said jackets.

In order to provide adequate cushioning of the objects, to withstand shock or vibration during handling or ship ment, the connecting sections of the webs are constructed as and/or fitted with suitable shock-absorbing or cushionng means. As an example, the latter may consist simply in the strip-like connecting sections of the webs being formed with corrugations transversely of the webs with the corrugations of one web being interlocked with and affixed to the corrugations of the other web, such as by gluing, welding, or by any other suitable method. Alternatively, the strip-like connecting sections may be connected, by a welding or the like method, along linear scams or joints adjacent to the outer edges of said sections, to provide intervening pockets for the reception of additional cushioning material, such as in the form of resilient strips of foam rubber or an equivalent light weight resilient material.

By the foregoing construction of the improved cellular packing according to the present invention, the bottles or the like objects may be adequately cushioned against one another within the strip-like packaging structure or array. In order to provide added cushioning action, especially between the bottles in adjacent layers or turns, respectively, where the composite packaging strip with the bottles or the like objects supported thereby is either folded back and forth into a stack or wound into a spiral for the storing thereof in a shipping carton or container, the outside of the intermediate web sections, forming the supporting jackets of the bottles, are advantageously fitted with additional cushioning means, for example, consisting simply of a multiplicity of cushioning strips or ribs of resilient material and being parallel to and aflixed to the webs. Alternatively, such lateral cushioning means, being distinct from the intermediate cushioning sections of the webs between the juxtaposed bottles, may consist of integral pockets formed of transverse folds of the intermediate web sections and joined along their adjoini inner ends or edges, preferably by welding or stitching, to provide overlapping folds or pockets. The latter may again serve to receive suitable cushioning material, such as resilient strips, as will become further apparent as the following description proceeds in reference to the drawing.

Finally, suitably spaced adjoining portions of the webs, or certain of the intermediate sections between the striplike connecting areas may be constructed and/ or formed as carrying handles, such as by connecting certain of the intermediate web sections provided with suitable carrying or hand holes cut therein. Alternatively, the pockets or folds of the intermediate sections mentioned to provide added cushioning action, may serve as carrying means and/ or may be constructed or joined to serve as tear strips or scored sections of the webs for the easy removal of the bottles from the jackets.

As will be understood from the foregoing, the packaging strip according to the present invention lends itself advantageously to use in connection with automatic pack aging methods or operations, especially for the auto matic packaging of wine and champagne bottles or the like. The packed bottles may be separated in any desired number or groups from the continuously produced packaging strip for storage in the shipping cartons or containers.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 1, the bottle packaging arrangement shown comprises a pair of strips or webs 10 and 11 of a suitable more or less flexible material, such as paper, plastic, synthetic plastic reinforced paper, etc., said webs being provided with a plurality of equispaced transverse strip-like connecting sections or areas 12 with each pair of adjoining connecting sections being joined by gluing, welding, stapling etc., to provide tube-like intermediate cells or pockets 13 adapted for the reception of a number of bottles 14 or the like cylindrical objects to be packed and snugly fitting in said jackets, in the manner shown by the drawing. In order to provide adequate cushioning of the bottles 14 against one another, or within the composite packaging strip or array, in accordance with the present invention, the connecting sections 12 are constructed as and/or fitted with suitable cushioning means or devices. According to a simple example or embodiment, the sections 12 of the webs 1i and 11 are corrugated transversely of the webs, as shown in FIG. 1, with the corrugations of one web interlocked with and affixed to the corrugations of the other web, to effect the required cushioning of the juxtaposed or adjacent bottles of the array or packaging strip.

In order to secure an improved cushioning effect, especially Where the composite packaging strip with the bottles supported thereby is folded back and forth into a stack or wound into a spiral for the storage of the bottles in a shipping container or carton, the outer surface of the cells 13 is advantageously fitted with resilient cushioning strips or ribs 15, such as strips of foam rubber or the like synthetic material, said strips being preferably parallel to the webs 1t) and 11 and afiixed thereto by gluing, welding, or any other suitable method. The strips 15 may be either interrupted short of the connecting areas or sections 12, FIG. 2, that is, separate strips are used for each jacket 13, or, if continuous strips are used extending along the entire lengths of the webs, they are advantageously disconnected from the sections 12, such as by the use of suitably shaped welding tools, as will be understood. Such interruption of the strips 15 is practically of no avail, inasmuch as a hermetic seal or joint is not required between the jackets or packaging spaces 13.

A modified cushioning arrangement between the bottles or packaging cells 13 is shown in FIG. 2, wherein the strip-like connecting sections 17 being a submultiple of the intervening packing sections of the webs 10 and 11 are connected along a pair of narrow lines or seams 12a extending near the outer edges of the strips or sections, in such a manner as to provide auxiliary pockets or cells of relatively smaller size compared with the packing cells 13 and adapted for the reception of suitable cushioning elements, such as in the form of resilient strips 16 of plastic, fabric, or the like material. The seams 12a may be produced by stitching, or preferably by welding in the case of webs and 11 consisting of a thermoplastic or other weldable material.

In place of the provision of cushioning ribs or strips 15, FIGS. 1 and 2, the webs 10 and 11 may be formed with overlapping folds 18, FIGS. 3 and 4, having their inner edges 19 joined, preferably by welding, to provide further pockets adapted to receive additional cushioning elements, such as strips 20 of synthetic material, fabric, or the like. Alternatively, the folds or pockets 18 may be hermetically sealed and filled with air, water, or an equivalent fluid cushioning medium. In order to facilitate welding of the joints 12, the folds or pockets 18 of one of the webs 10 and 11 may be displaced relative to the folds of the other web, preferably in such a manner as to cause one of the folds 18 to coincide with and to be embodied in the joints or connections 12 in an effort to improve the cushioning effect and to strengthen the joints between the bottles or packaging spaces 13.

Finally, both the webs 10 and 11 may be formed with corrugations 10' and 11' along the entire lengths of the webs and the intermediate or connecting sections or areas 12' of the webs joined in the manner described and shown by FIG. 5, to provide adequate cushioning both between the adjacent bottles of the array, on the one hand, as well as between the bottles of adjacent layers or turns of a stacked or spirally wound packaging strip, on the other hand, in the manner readily understood from the foregoing.

In operation, the bottles or the like objects to be packed may be fed continuously and in suitably spaced relation by means of a conveyor on the opposite sides of which are disposed a pair of supply rolls of packaging material being unwound and, in turn, fed in proper relation to and parallel to the array of bottles supplied by said conveyor. The registering connecting areas or sections of the unwound webs intervening between the adjacent bottles are then joined by welding, clamping, crimping, or any other suitable connecting method. In the case of webs of thermoplastic material, joining of the webs is advantageously effected by the aid of heated welding dies constructed to conform with the intervening spaces between bottles, in a manner well known and understood by those skilled in the art. The resultant continuous chain or packaging strip with the bottles supported thereby may then be severed int-o desired lengths, to suit any existing packaging c-onditions or requirements.

As is understood, the use of transparent or translucent packaging 'webs or material, makes it possible to readily ascertain the labels or other identifying matter upon the bottles, without removing of any packaging material or unwrapping of the bottles, while at the same time enabling packaging of the bottles or the like objects expeditiously and efficiently, as well as without the danger of damaging, displacing or otherwise deleteriously affecting the labels applied to the bottles or other objects being packed,

In the foregoing the invention has been described in reference to a specific illustrative device. It will be evident, however, that variations and modifications, as well as the substitution of equivalent elements and material for those shown and described herein for illustration, may be made without departing from the broader scope and spirit of the invention as defined 'by the appended claims. The specification and drawing are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than in a restricted sense.

I claim:

1. In cellular packing for bottles and the like articles comprising in combination:

(1) a pair of webs of flexible material placed face to face,

(2) means fastening said webs together at intervals and along a multiplicity of spaced and parallel pairs of transverse connecting lines,

(3) the spacing distance between the lines of each of said pairs being a submultiple of the spacing distance between adjacent pairs, to provide packing cells alternating with relatively smaller auxiliary cells enclosed by said webs, said packing cells adapted to receive the bottles or the like articles to be packed, and

(4) flexible cushioning means disposed within said auxiliary cells.

2. In a packing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, said cushioning means consisting of strips of elastic material disposed within said auxiliary cells.

3. In a packing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, including further cushioning means aflixed to the outside of said packing cells.

4. In a packing arrangement as claimed in claim 3, said last cushioning means consisting of a plurality of spaced strips of resilient material in line with and aflixed to said packing cells.

5. In a packing arrangement as claimed in claim 3, said last cushioning means consisting of a plurality of further pockets formed by transverse folds of the web sections of said packing cells, said folds being joined at the inner edges thereof.

6. In a packing arrangement as claimed in claim 3, said last cushioning means consisting of a plurality of further pockets formed by transverse folds of the web sections of said packing cells being joined at the inner edges thereof, and resilient strips disposed in said further pockets.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 723,522 3/ 1903 Gari 22990 901,334 10/1908 Flipse 1 22990 3,186,544 6/1965 Curry et a1 206- FOREIGN PATENTS 114,053 10/ 1941 Australia. 1,000,728 10/1951 France. 1,343,661 10/1963 France.

400,598 10/1933 Great Britain.

MARTHA L. RICE, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN CELLULAR PACKING FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE ARTICLES COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: (1) A PAIR OF WEBS OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL PLACED FACE TO FACE, (2) MEANS FASTENING SAID WEBS TOGETHER AT INTERVALS AND ALONG A MULTIPLICITY OF SPACED AND PARALLEL PAIRS OF TRANSVERSE CONNECTING LINES, (3) THE SPACING DISTANCE BETWEEN THE LINES OF EACH OF SAID PAIRS BEING A SUBMULTIPLE OF THE SPACING DISTANCE BETWEEN ADJACENT PAIRS, TO PROVIDE PACKING CELLS ALTERNATING WITH RELATIVELY SMALLER AUXILIARY CELLS ENCLOSED BY SAID WEBS, SAID PACKING CELLS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE BOTTLES OR THE LIKE ARTICLES TO BE PACKED, AND (4) FLEXIBLE CUSHIONING MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN SAID AUXILIARY CELLS. 